Vibrator



March 11, 1941. J. F MEYER 2,234,779

VIBRATOR Filed Oct. 28, 1939 1N VE OR.

Patented Mar. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VIBRATOR poration of Illinois Application October 28, 1939, Serial No. 301,742

2 Claims.

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in body vibrating devices, the present invention constituting an improvement over that shown and described in the application of Charles A. Solinski, Serial No. 282,579, filed July 3, 1939, in which Patent 2,174,643 has issued and has for its principal object the provision of an improved construction of this character which will be highly efficient in use and economical in manufacture.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a body vibrating device in which the operation of the vibrating means is automatically controlled as the person places his or her body on or off of the platform of the device.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a body vibrating device embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional detail View of the same taken substantially on line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mea-ns for controlling the circuit of the vibrating means embodied in my invention;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan View of the same taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional detail view of the same taken substantially on line 5--5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail View of the same taken substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawing showing my preferred form of construction, my improved body vibrating device includes a homing I of suitable construction comprising a front wall II having at its lower edge portion an elongated slot I2 formed therein. This housing IIl is supported by a base I3 having an exterior portion I4. Arranged in superimposed relation with respect to this base I3 is a platform I5 having an interior portion I6 and an exterior portion II, the interior portion I projecting through the slot I2, as shown in Fig. 2.

The outer corresponding end portions I8 of the platform I5 and base I3 are connected together through the medium of a nut and bolt (Cl. 12S-33) structure I9 including a rubber washer 2U, together forming a fulcrum.

The opposite corresponding inner end portions of the base I3 and platform I5 are resiliently supported in substantially spaced relation with respect to each other by means of a spring structure 2I, the limits of expansion of which are controlled by a contraction spring 22 connected to the adjacent end portions of the base I3 and platform I5 as at 23.

On the interior `end portion of the platform I5, which end portion is hereinafter referred to for convenience as extended portion, is mounted a vibrating means comprising an electric motor 25 and an eccentric 26, the length of which is varied by an adjustment screw 2B, this being accomplished by loosening the lock nut 29 and rotating the screw 28 to enlarge or diminish the length of the eccentric and consequently to enlarge or diminish the degree of vibration.

In machines of this type with which I am familiar, the vibrating means is permitted to rotate through a predetermined period of time. The disadvantage of such an arrangement is found in the fact that when a person steps off of the platform I'I, the vibrating device continues to operate. One of the objects of this invention is to remove this objectionable feature. Preferably I overcome this objectionable feature by securing to a wall 30 of the base through the medium of the screws 3| a switch structure 32 comprising a stationary contact member 33 and a iiexible contact member 34 operable to make and break a circuit to the motor 25 by means of a toggle arm 35.

This toggle arm 35 as best shown in Fig. 5, has a finger 36 secured thereto as at 31, and this linger has its free end projected through a loop 38 secured to a supporting block 39 carried by the extended portion, as at 4D.

The toggle arm 35 is pivotally supported at 4I by spaced ears 42, and the inner end of the toggle arm is bifurcated as at 43 to receive the contact member 35. The stationary and movable contact menibers 33 and 34 are connected in the electric circuit of the motor 25, as diagrammatically shown in Fig, 4.

In the operation of my invention a person will stand upon the footprint indications 44 formed on the exterior portions I'I of the platform I5. The weight of the person will pvot the platform I5 against the action of the springs 2| about the fulcrum provided by the nut andbolt connection I9 and washer 20. As this platform I5 pivots downwardly, the loop 38 bears upon the arm 36, causing the toggle arm 35 to pivot about its pivot 4l. In this pivotal movement of the toggle arm 35, the Contact spring member 34 is flexed, bringing it into engagement with the stationary contact 33, thus completing the circuit to the motor 25. This circuit will be complete as long as the person remains with his or her weight on the platformv l5.

As soon as this weight is removed from the platform: l5, the springs 2| will urge the platform into its normal position, and during this move-v ment into normal position the loop 38 will act upon the arm 36, pivot the toggle arm 35 in a retroactive position, fiexing the contact spring member 34 and breaking the engagement between the contact member 34-and the stationary contact member 33.

This loop 38 and nger 36 are formed and related one to the other in a manner such that after the toggle arm has been pivoted by downward movement of the platform due to the Weight of the ,body thereon, there is a sufficient degree of flexibility which will permit the vibratory action of the platform I5 without affecting the thus yclosed toggle switch. v

During the operation of the motor 25, the eccentric 26 will be caused to rotate and impart a vibratory action to the platform l5.

Froml the description herein taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it is manifest that the operation of the motor is automatically controlled through the action of the toggle switch, whic-h switch in turn is opened and closed as the weight of a person is disposed upon or removed from the platform l5.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into eiect, this is capable of variation and modification Without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: 1. In a vibrating machine including a platform and electrically powered means for vibrating the same, the combination with said platform, of a switch in circuit with said electrically powered means to control operation thereof, and switch operating means comprising a loop member attached to the platform to lie in a plane extending in the direction of movement of the platform, and a finger member for operating the switch and projecting from the switch into the loop to be moved by the latter responsive to movement of the platformy when a weight is loaded on the platform, whereby to close the switch and energize said electrically powered means.

l2. In a device of the class described, a platform operated switch comprising an elongated metal strip constituting one contact, and xed at one end for movement of an opposite end.' portion into and out of engagement with a companion contact, a toggle arm pivoted at one side oi said strip to extend at right angles thereto with a bifurcated end portion tted over a mid portion of the strip to flex the latter back and forth for movement relative to said companion contact, and a helical compression spring on said strip acting between the iixed end of the latter and said bifurcated end of the toggle arm. to give snap action to the strip responsive to operating movements of the toggle arm;

JOHN F. MEYER. 

